HVAC Honeywell Smartvalve and hot surface igniter/flame senor com

[DrZarkloff]

I have to replace a gas valve on a Trane rooftop package unit tomorrow. I only wish that I was still allowed to post more videos from work.

[tbraden32]

Mike, found this just in time. Had a repair man out last night, my Armstrong Ultra 90 will not fire up. He tested it and said it needs a new smart valve. Quoted me $600 to repair, but is now trying to sell me a new furnace instead. Found part online for $125. Can I replace this myself, difficult level?

[mikie2501]

@tbraden32 I honestly would never recommend a homeowner replace a gas valve. It's not really all that difficult as it goes, just have to be sure to use the right pipe dope and then make sure that you leak test it properly but it's best to hire someone to do this who does it all the time. I've only 'worked' on 90+ type furnaces a few times so am not familiar with the operating processes on them like I am on the 80's so... You could see about getting a quote from a plumber to replace...

[72Z15SS]

Nice info... I have a water heater with a Honeywell SV9501 valve that crapped out on me. I got it to sequence, but the thing would only stay lit for about a minute,so I removed and cleaned the flame sensor and broke the darn ignitor with just a touch! I ordered one online and installed it, but now the thing wont even try to heat. I'm guessing I need a new valve which is only 7 years old? Hate to spend money on JUNK but I hate cold showers even more, sooooo........

[mikie2501]

@72Z15SS Lol, well been 5 days since I've checked here so you prolly have it fixed :> Sometimes you can unplug and replug the plugs and the crappy circuit boards will start working, maybe, if they feel like it :> Best to have it replaced or have a professional trouble shoot it. I don't work on water heaters (yay!) but I agree, those damn flame sensors and tiny igniter kill me!

[72Z15SS]

@mikie2501 Here's a weird one: I checked the pressure sensor on the powervent, tested OK. tested the temp switch in the blower housing...OK Checking for 24v on the transformer between Pos and common and all of a sudden the thing started sequencing...WTH does this thing want from me? LOL

[mikie2501]

@72Z15SS Rofl :>

[72Z15SS]

@mikie2501 This thing has been working normal since I got it to sequence and fire. I just dont get it. At least I know the local plumbing supply has 3 valve in stock just in case... Thanks again for posting this video. It helped me prepare for this drama...Like I need anymore drama?!#^@%#*

[rnyrnold]

I have a ducane cmpe075u3 furnace timer board says everything OK . SV9520H valve has 3 blinking lights. No power from valve to inducer. Pressure switch is good. Any way to wire a relay in the circuit without replacing smart valve ?

[mikie2501]

@rnyrnold  My immediate answer is no. Never do temporary or wire around fixes in heat mode, that can be VERY dangerous! You can be bypassing safety circuits that are keeping the thing from running improperly. I can't remember that unit and how the wiring goes for the systems with smartvalves but I"m pretty sure that the power for the induced draft motor comes from the control board, not the smartvalve. Get a technician to look at the system to see if it the board. Portable heat till then!

[nytoptech]

@rnyrnold yeah you can wire in a relay thats normal. and when your house burns down..... thats normal too

[theOriginalAlcura]

Thank you for posting! My HVAC guy tried to pop me for $400 to replace a smart valve last night, after I paid about the same for another heater repair on the same unit, just before summer. He then offered to sell me a Smartvalve at his cost of $225. Before he put his ladder on his truck, I'd found it online for as low as $125, and will have it replaced before Thanksgiving dinner. Thanks again, video was highly informative!

[bomberdave67]

thanks very much for posting this- cleaning the flame sensor off got my shop heater working again for zero bucks- my current budget for heater repair. a thousand thank yous...

[Bucs80SC]

I've found on some problem calls involving smart valves that the little orifice in the pilot assembly gets dirty and doesn't allow enough of a flame to hit the sensor which will cause the pilot to keep cycling on and off over and over again. After taking apart and cleaning the pilot it would work great. They sure can be a pain to diagnose at times. Sounds like your issue with the valve was a little different than mine. Great video!

[hodgiemotto83]

I don't know if I'm misunderstanding you or what, but you're saying the problem was that the smartvalve was lighting the full burner instead of just the piloted flame? Why would a hot surface igniter have a polite flame or mode?

Thanks for the videos.

[tony5996e]

if heat pump condensor unit is low refrigerant in winter. How can i charge it..please help how. thank

[MrMultitool]

good video.I agree that the smart valves are a headache. I m glad you're feeling better.

[Yourfriendbuddy]

I have also found that when the igniter does not have the correct resistance the valve will not energize the igniter. I learned this the hardway replacing the valve, before the igniter. As long as the igniter has the correct resistanc you can read the voltage to the igniter in the 24 volt range. In otherwords if you find no igniter operation and the igniter may look fine, its probobly the igniter. Yea, its a pos, but much bettert than the older mercury pilot sensors.

[savagegolfer]

I hate Honeywell products. They are all shit and useless.

[autobarry]

I hear you you! Can not stand them myself.

[bobbyton80]

Mikie, I would bet you call them POS. lol Honeywell acually said they are looking to get away from those dumb valves because of the board in the valves go bad to easily. Homeywell also said that the expense to replace the smart valve is much more expensive. I am not sure about the price difference, maybe you can comment on that. They gave a course through Johnstone Supply about 6 months ago. It was very good I thought. Might be a bit hum drum for you, Dr. Z and Stank but good 4 us newbies

Bobby

[mikie2501]

Would have been nice to take the course, I don't get to take as many classes as i would like. Would have been good to have some paperwork to put in my folder to pin-out troubleshooting!

[bobbyton80]

I will see what I have as far as paperwork and send it ti you. (If I can find it)

[akouo01]

Thanks Mike for posting, I'm glad you feel better.

[hvactecster79]

Hey Mike,

Hope you get to feeling better.

Fritz, Mike did a video a while back on sequencers and heating elements. Not much to troubleshooting them, holler if ya need anything.

[101heaters101]

I agree, smart valves are dumb valves.

[icu812hardhead]

Great video thanks

[mazzmari]

First time I came across a bad smart valve I didn't have a clue. Thankfully it was at my aunt's house so I was able to undergo a learning curve there.

I was there on and off for a few days and every time it was working. I must have cycled that furnace 100 times with no issues. Next visit the flame cuts out so I do flame sensor/ignitor. Everything ok.

Then next time I went out there I changed the valve and I had no further problems. Now any ignition problem on a smart valve and the valve goes!

[PutSome5tankOnIt]

Awesome job on the diagnostics and explanations. By the time my back and shoulders started crapping out, the SmartValves were fading away. That's when I became mostly a service technician. My first experience was fun. The valve gave me a bogus blink code. I called another tech for back-up support. He told me to dig a hole in the yard. "WHAT???". Yeah, I was gonna need a place to put that turd (the bad valve) after I replaced it with a new one. Good times.

[Darvin1964]

Good job

[fritzhvac]

I hate those (dumb valves) to... SUCK

I posted on your last video but it would not take for some reason.

Mike I hope you are feeling better and can make your brother b-day party...

Great video Mike, I was posting on last video to see, when you feel better and have time , could you shoot a video on trouble shooting sequencers.

get well soon... FRITZ